Event details

The incident was declared a Level III disaster at 8:42 am and the National Disaster Response Force was contacted. Two wings of a ground-plus-five storey building on Pakmodia Street in south Mumbai completely collapsed on Thursday morning, killing 16 people and injuring 15. At least 30 people are feared to be still trapped under the rubble, and rescue efforts are under way. Mumbai Fire Brigade officials said the call about the collapse was received by the control room at around 8.30 a.m. on Thursday, and teams were rushed to the spot from the nearby Byculla fire station, reaching the spot within 10 minutes. The incident was declared a Level III disaster at 8.42 a.m. and the National Disaster Response Force was contacted. "There was a shop on the ground floor that prepares sweetmeats and snacks to be supplied to retail outlets, and had several employees working in it when the building collapsed. The workers and a lot of building residents are still trapped underneath the rubble," said an officer with the Mumbai Fire Brigade. The collapse is believed to have caused gas cylinders in the sweetmeat factory to explode, causing a fire and gas leak, which has made the operation more challenging, a police officer said. "As of now, the death toll stands at ten, and two firemen as well as 13 residents of the building, are being treated for their injuries," said Dr T P Lahane of JJ Hospital where the victims are being rushed.